Marilyn Monroe, “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” (1953)

Though the song was introduced in the 1949 Broadway production of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, it entered the popular lexicon when bombshell Marilyn Monroe performed it in the feature film of the same name four years later. An encapsulation of the gold-digging mentality, the song states that heroics on the battlefield or passionate expressions of love are no match for a man opening his wallet to buy expensive jewels for his lady. The musical number shows Monroe will all the trappings we would come to associate with the sexpot: beautifully coiffed blonde hair, pink gown and gloves, dripping with baubles. She pragmatically points out that a kiss won’t pay your rent, and presciently sings, “Get that ice or else no dice.” While men, women and relationships all change, only diamonds retain their luster forever.